MINE THAT BIRD SNEAKS AWAY WITH DERBY

I actually watched the race in a bar, so I credit USA Today TV columnist Michael Hiestand for catching the fact that NBC’s race announcer missed Mine That Bird sneaking along the rail to win the 135th Kentucky Derby:

NBC race caller Tom Durkin, who has called more than 60,000 races, seemed to be caught flatfooted by 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird’s stretch run.

Durkin didn’t call the eventual winner’s inside charge — which, on replays, showed the value of NBC’s overhead cameras — and made only his second mention of the horse when Mine That Bird had a three-length lead. He always mentions each horse early in the race.

Also, betting was down slightly at the track and elsewhere, perhaps because the awesomely-named early favorite I Want Revenge scratched because of a leg injury. Only two more horse races to care about this year. Or one, if Mine That Bird decides to lose the Preakness or break his leg.